Press Releases: Northwest
January 28, 2004
Kaiser Permanente opens its Web site health content to everyone for free
2003 study shows searching health topics is third most popular activity online
PORTLAND, Ore. – This week Kaiser Permanente unveiled a redesigned Web site that provides all consumers—whether they are members of the health care organization or not—with access to comprehensive, up-to-date, physician-approved health care content at no cost.
The new Web site also introduces new services and online tools for various groups who need information and/or services from Kaiser Permanente, including job seekers, members, employers, and health insurance brokers. The new Web site is at www.kaiserpermanente.org or www.kp.org.
The site received the highest accreditation award in the industry by URAC, a Washington, D.C.-based health care accrediting organization and a leader in the accreditation of health Web sites. URAC acknowledged that Kaiser Permanente's Web site incorporates rigorous standards that protect consumers' interests while providing quality information and services.
Meeting the need for reliable, authoritative content
Searching for health information online is the third most popular Internet activity, just behind using e-mail and researching products and services, according to the July 2003 Pew Internet & American Life study. But fully half of those who turn to the Web for health advice "only sometimes," "hardly ever," or "never" verify the source and timeliness of the information they find.
"There's a wealth of health information on the Web," says Homer Chin, MD, medical director for clinical information systems for Kaiser Permanente Northwest. "The problem has been in finding sites that offer reliable and impartial health information and that aren't selling a particular health product or service. We've tried to address that by providing reliable, impartial, up-to-date, physician-reviewed health information at this site—as a public service.
"Record numbers of Americans have no health insurance, Ore. have steep deductibles that discourage visiting a health care professional just to ask questions or learn about a health condition. That makes the Web an even more important source of vital health information for millions of people," says Dr. Chin.
With this launch, he says Kaiser Permanente takes on the role of providing comprehensive health content to the community at large. The new Kaiser Permanente site offers free access to more than 40,000 pages of physician-approved health related content—covering about 1,900 topics, 5,000 medical tests and procedures—to anyone and everyone, no password needed.
Key features of the Kaiser Permanente site include:
- a drug encyclopedia with detailed information on more than 3,000 prescription and over-the-counter medications, including side effects and precautions
- an interactive assessment tool called a Health Calculator that helps visitors determine the due date of a pregnancy, if they are at a healthy weight, if they're getting enough calcium, and more
- special design helps meet the needs of people with vision problems
Dr. Chin says a team of Kaiser Permanente physicians, health educators, nurses, dieticians and other professionals also write and review featured health topics, drawing attention to popular health subjects, such as weight management, diabetes and asthma. "Consumers can be confident that information will also be updated as medical knowledge advances," says Dr. Chin.
Kaiser Permanente has already made its online presence felt with its previous Web site winning several awards over the past few years. These included first place in the 2001 eHealthcare Leadership Awards for Best Health/Healthcare Content; second place for Best Interactive Site; and second place for Best Overall Internet Site. Kaiser Permanente also won a Bronze Award for its former site in the Fall 2002 World Wide Web Health Awards in the category of Best Health/Healthcare Content Health Promotion/Disease & Injury.
Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health care program. Founded in 1945, it is a multi-specialty, group practice health care organization serving the health care needs of 8.2 million members nationwide, including about 435,000 in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
